Kite Shield Question

[Sir Patrick]

This may be a stupid question, but is a kite shield with a boss held by a center handle, like a Viking shield, or strapped like a standard heater shield?  I notice some have bosses and some don't. Does the boss drop off and strapping evolve over time somehow?

[Henrik Granlid]

To my knowledge, strapping begins life as a cavalry version, whereas center-grips remain as an infantry option. It later turns into the occasional centergrip heater or later dueling shields, but as shields grow smaller than shoulder-height, the new strapping takes over for infantry as well.

[Mike W.]

They are shown as straps in this section of the Bayeux Tapestry